Punching machine



May 5, 1936. v u. KCLM 2,039,806

runcnme MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 193:5 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 k J I AT'I 'ORNE O O INVENTOR O y 5, 1936- u. KOLM 2,039,806

PUNCHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.*4. 69

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Filed Sept. 15, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIGS.

INVENTOR AT'TORW Patented May 5, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs PUNCHING MACHINE Application September 15, 1933, Serial No. 689,509 In Germany April 21, 1933 10 Claims.

This invention relates to punching machines and more particularly to machines of the type in which punching is eifected in record cards, co1- umn by column, under control of manually operable keys.

In punching machines of the type to which the improvements of the present invention apply, a group of twelve keys is usually provided to individually select any one or more of a group of twelve punches to perforate the index point positions of a column of a record card. In such machines the punching operation follows immedi-- ately upon depression of a key and is completed before the key returns to normal position. As a result, in case the operator depressed the wrong key, the corresponding wrong punch would be automatically operated and incorrectly punch a record. Consequently, the record would be spoiled and would have to be discarded and a new record perforated all over again. The disadvantages of such a procedure are obvious, and where accuracy of punching is essential, time consuming verifying operations are resorted to after the records are punched.

The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of previous systerns by devising a means for checking the accuracy of the key selection before the record is actually punched.

Specifically, there is provided a signal lamp for each key position which is illuminated upon depression of the corresponding key. Concurrently with the depression of any key and the illumination of its related lamp, a punching circuit is partially completed to the related punch. This circuit is, however, not fully completed until a following key depression is effected to select another punch at which time the first selected lamp is extinguished and the second selected one lighted and another partial circuit established to be fully completed upon the third key operation.

By thus delaying the'punch operation one step or one key operation, the operator is given an opportunity to note whether the correct key has been depressed and to correct the error without recording the same in the card. If an error is detected it is merely necessary to prevent completion of the partial circuit by cancelling or restoring it to its normal condition, without interiering with the previous operations.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be obvious from the following particular description of one form of mechanism embodying the invention or from an inspection of the accompanying drawings; and the invention also constitutes certain new and novel features of construction and combination or parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional detail of the essential oper- 5 ating mechanism of the punching machine.

Fig. 2 is a detail of the punch carriage escape ment mechanism.=

Fig. 3 is a detail showing the arrangement of the keyboard and checking lamps.

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram of the electric cir cuits of the device.

Figs. 5 and 6 are details of a reversing relay.

The punching machine is generally of the form shown in the Lee and Phillips Patent No. 1,772,186, granted August 5, 1930 and the description there-- of will be limited to the features essential to an understanding of the present invention and the manner in which the invention may be applied to such a punching machine.

In Fig. 1, punch selecting magnets ID are pro vided, there being one for each of the twelve index point positions of the record card R. Energize.- tion of magnet Ill will attract its armature to rock an arm H in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot I2, thus moving key l3 downwardly to rock a bell crank l4 which has connection with an interposer I5 which is suitably mounted for horizontal reciprocation. The forward end oi each interposer i5 is suitably guided between an 6 operating bar l6 and the upper end of a punch l1.

Forward movement of an interposer l5 will position its widest portion between bar It and a punch I! so that subsequent counterclockwise rocking of bar l6 about pivot l8 will move the interposer and punch downwardly to perforate the record card R. A notch 20 in the interposer cooperates with a bail 2| to rock the same in a counterclockwise direction when the interposer is moved toward the left. Rocking of bail 2| toward the left will raise a hookshaped link 22 to close a pair of contacts '23. As will be explained in connection with the circuit diagram, contacts 23 complete a circuit through the punch magnet 24, causing it to attract its armature 25 and through linkage generally designated 28, draw downwardly on the bar it to cause depression of the selected punch. Depression of key [3 may, of course, be effected independently of magnet Ill forthe purpose of manually controlling punching operations. A pair of contacts I9 is adapted to be opened by one of' the links 26 near the end of its downward movement at which time also, a finger 39 engages the tree end of link 22 and moves it to the right, out of engagement with con- 55 tacts 28 whereby the latter are permitted to reopen.

Disposed beneath the interposers I5 is a ball 21 which is carried by rod 28 upon one end of which is secured an arm 29 (see Fig. 2) for operating the escapement mechanism. The escapement mechanism comprises a holding pawl 30 pivoted at 3| to the frame oi the machine and a stepping pawl 82 loosely pivoted on rod 28 and normally urged by a spring 33 into engagement with the teeth 84 on the upper edge of rack 35. Rocking of rod 28 in a counterclockwise direction under action of bar It rocking on an interposer I! will lower pawl 30 into engagement with a tooth 24 to hold rack in position while punching is being eflected. This action at the same time raises pawl 32 out of engagement with teeth 84 and by virtue of its loose connection with rod 28 will move slightly toward the right in readinose to intercept the next tooth 34 when the rod 24 is returned to its original position.

The rack 35 is suitably mounted for horizontal movement in the frame of the machine and may be moved toward the right to the position shown in Fig. 1 wherein a record R is placed in position with the first column thereof in line with the punches II. Gear teeth out on the underside oi the rack cooperate with a suitable gear 36 which is connected to the usual spring barrel 31 which tends to move the rack toward the left and which efiects such movement under control of the escapement mechanism just described. Rack 28 is provided with the usual pusher 38 which advances the record R, column by column, as the rack is advanced step by step.

Thus far, the device is similar to the usual punching machine and may be operated as such by depression or keys l3. For the purposes of the invention an auxiliary set of keys 40 (Fig. 3) is provided, one for each of the twelve index point positions of the card. For each key 40 there is also provided a lamp 4| arranged in a similar order and marked as shown, if desired. Associated with each key 40 are two pairs of contacts 42, 43 (Fig. 4) which are adapted to be closed upon depression of the related key and to open when the key is released. In the diagram (Fig. 4) only four keys 40 and their circuit connections are shown, but it will be understood that the remaining keys are similarly arranged.

A correction key 44, marked C is provided which is depressed when an error is detected and a last column key 45 marked L is provided for depression after the last key 40 is operated. Key 44 upon depression closes contacts 46 and 41 (Fig. 4) and opens contacts 48 and 49. Key 45 closes contacts 50 and II.

The operation 01' the device may best be understood in connection with the operation of the machine to punch a specific number. Assume that the number 816 is to be punched and that the record is in position as in Fig. 1 with the first column beneath the punches l1.

Current is supplied from a suitable source to negative side of line 52 and positive side 53. Depression of "8" key 40 will close contacts 42, 43 in the "8 position and a circuit will immediately be traceable as follows: negative line 52, contacts 48 of correction key 44, wire 55, normally closed contacts 510 of relay magnet 51, wire 58, relay magnet 59, wire 80, 8" key contacts 42. "8" relay magnet 54, wire 6|, relay magnet 62, wire 62 to positive line 58. Relay magnet 54 will close its contacts 54a, 54b and 54c 01' which contacts 44a will establish a holding circuit as follows: from line 53, wire 53, relay magnet 52, wire 6|, 8 relay magnet 54, contacts 54a, wire 64, normally closed relay contacts 56d, wire 55, contacts 48 to line 52. At the same time, closure of contacts 54c complete a circuit to "8 lamp 4| as follows: from line 53, 8" wire 65, "8 lamp 4|, 8 contacts 540, wire 55, wire 55, contacts 48 to line 52. The 8" lamp 4| will thus be illuminated to indicate that the 8 key 40 had been depressed.

The corresponding punch selecting magnet Hi will, however, not be energized at this time since there is no circuit completed therethrough. In addition to the two completed circuits just traced a third circuit is also completed upon closure of contacts 59a (due to energization of relay magnet 59) as follows: from'line 52, wire 51, contacts 59a, wire 68, relay magnet 51, wire 69 to line 53, causing closure of contacts 51a and 51b and opening of contacts 51c.

Relay 5! is of the so-called reversing or double step type; that is, one energization of the magnet 51 will shift the contacts and a second energization will return them. The essential elements of such a relay are shown in Figs. 5 and 6 and will be briefly described. Upon energization of magnet 51 its armature ill-and an integral arm II will be rocked in a counterclockwise direction. At the free end of arm H is pivoted a spring pressed pawl 12 which is in engagement with a ten-toothed ratchet 13. A spring pressed member 14 serves as a detent. Rocking of armature Hi and arm II will elevate pawl 12 to advance ratchet 73 one tooth and rotate the rod 15, upon which it is mounted, a like distance. 1

Shaft 15 carries a cam 16 (Fig. 6) of pentagonal outline which cooperates with contacts 51a, 51b and 510 through a pin 11 in such manner that contacts 51a and 51b close and contacts 57c open when the high points of cam 15 lie directly beneath pin 11. Since ratchet 13 has ten teeth and cam 16 has five low points and five high points, it is obvious that a single operation of magnet 51 will open contacts 51c and close contacts 51a and 51b and a second energization will permit them to resume the positions they occupy in Fig. 6.

The initial energization of magnet 51 through the above traced circuit will cause opening 01' contacts 510 and thereby cause deenergization of relay magnet 59. At this point then, the 8 lamp 4| will be illuminated and the contacts of reversing relay 5'! will be in their shifted positions, but no punching will have been effected.

In accordance with the number selected for punching, the "7 key 40 is now depressed and a circuit will immediately be completed as follows: from line 52, contacts 48, wire 55, contacts 51b (now closed), wire 18, magnet 19, wire 80, "7 contacts 43, 7 relay magnet 8|, wire 82, relay magnet 83, wire 63 to line 53. Magnet 83 will close its points 83:: and the partially completed circuit to the "8 punch selecting magnet will now be completed as follows: from line 53, "8 wire 84, "8 punch selecting magnet l0, contacts 54b (now closed), wire 85, contacts 83a (now closed), contacts 56b, contacts l9, contacts 48 to line 52. This circuit is shown in heavy full lines for convenience in tracing. Contracts 48, I9 and 56b are normally closed, contacts 54b were closed upon the depression of the "8" key and contacts 83a closed as an incident to depression oi the second or 7 key.

Energization of the 8 punch selecting magnet I0 will advance the 8" interposer into position above the corresponding punch and at the same time cause closure of contacts 23 which complete the circuit to punch magnet 24 to punch an 8 in the record card and advance the same to the next column. Closure of contacts 23 also completes a circuit from line 53, contacts 23, wire 86, contacts 49, wire 81, magnet 56 to line 52. Magnet 56 is similar in arrangement to double step magnet 51 and reverses its related contacts at each energlzation so that at this time its contacts 56a, 56c and 56e are closed and 56b and 56d open.

Opening of contacts 56d, breaks the holding circuit of the 8 relay magnet 54 and permits 8 lamp 4| to extinguish. Relay magnet 62 in the holding circuit will also be deenergized at this time.

A new holding circuit for the "7 relay magnet 8| is now set up as follows: from line 53, wire 63, relay magnet 83, wire 82, '1 magnet 8|, contacts 8|a, wire 88, contacts 560 (now closed), wire 55, contacts 48 to line 52. Closure of contacts 8|c will cause illumination of the 7 lamp 4| and closure of contacts 8|b will prepare a partial circuit to the '1 punch selecting magnet l0. Energization of relay magnet 19 as explained above will close its contacts 19a to complete a circuit from line 52, wire 61, contacts 19a, wire 68, magnet 51, wire 69 to line 53, thus returning the contacts 51a, 51b, 510 to the positions shown in the diagram.

The third key to be depressed is the "6 key 40 and it will cause energization of the 6 relay magnet 54 and illumination of the 6 lamp 4| in the same manner as expla ned in connection with the 8 key. The incidental energize.- tion of relay magnet 62 will close its points 620. to complete the partial circuit to the "1 punch selecting magnet ID. This circuit is emphasized in heavy dotted lines and is traceable as follows: from line 53, 7 wire 84, "7 magnet I0, contacts 8|b, wire 90, contacts 62a, contacts 56a (now closed), contacts I9 and 48 to line 52.

Magnets 56 and 51 are again energized; the first, upon closure of interposer contacts 23 and the second upon closure of relay contacts 59a so that after the third key operation the contacts of relay 56 are in normal position and those of relay 51 are in shifted position.

The next key depression will set a magnet 54, the next a magnet 8| and so on with the holding circuits alternated between these relays magnets and the completion of the punching circuits being effected alternately through operation of magnets 83 and 62. It will, of course, be obvious that repeated depression of the same key will first set one of the magnets 54, 8| and then the other in the corresponding position.

If a key 40 has erroneously been depressed and a holding circuit set up through one of the magnets 54 or 8| and the corresponding lamp 4| lighted, the operator may depress the correction key 44 to open contacts 48 which, it will be recalled, lie in the holding circuits of both magnets 54 and 8|. These circuits are thus interrupted and the lamp 4| extinguished. Key 44 also serves to restore the double step relays 56 and 51 to their initial position as in the drawings, if one or the other is in its alternate position when key 44 is depressed. If relay 56 has been shifted, closure of contacts 46 will complete a circuit from line 52, magnet 56, wire 81, contacts 46, closed contacts 56c, wire 69 to line 53. If relay 51 has been shifted, closure of contacts 41 will complete a similar circuit from line 52,

contacts 41, closed contacts 51a, magnet 51, wire 69, to line 53. The device is now in readiness to receive a new setting.

After the last key 40 has been depressed to set the last number to be punched, it is necessary to complete the partial circuit for this number. For this purpose key 45 is provided which upon depression closes contacts 5|! and 5|. Contacts 5| shunt the heavy line punch selecting circuit around contacts 83a and 56?) while contacts 50 shunt the dotted line punch selecting circuit around contacts 62a and 56a. These circuits are thus completed independently of the action of the relay magnets 62 and 83.

It will be obvious that if the operator so desires and where time permits, key 45 may be depressed after each depression of a key 40. In this manner a number to be punched may be selected and its lamp 4| illuminated, the number checked and then key 45 depressed to effect punching of that number.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of punches for successively perforating a record, means including electrical devices for successively selecting said punches for operation and means controlled by said selecting means for operating each selected punch simultaneously with the next succeeding selection.

2. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of punches, a plurality of keys corresponding thereto, means including a relay operative upon actuation of one of said keys for selecting the corresponding punch for operation and further relay means operative upon the subsequent actuation of another of said keys for operating said selected punch and for simultaneously selecting the punch corresponding to the second actuated key for operation.

3. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of punches, a plurality of keys corresponding thereto, means including a. relay operative upon actuation of one of said keys for selecting the corresponding punch for operation and iurther relay means operative upon a repeated actuation of said key for operating said selected punch and for simultaneously causing a reselecticn thereof for further punching operation.

4. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of punches, a plurality of corresponding keys, an operating circuit for each punch, and means controlled by each key for partially establishing the circuit for its corresponding punch and for completing another circuit corresponding to another punch.

5. The invention set forth in claim 4 in which means is provided for restoring said partially established circuit to normal condition.

6. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of punch selecting keys, a signal circuit and a punch selecting circuit for each key, means operative upon actuation of a key for completing its signal circuit and partially establishing its punch selecting circuit and means independent of said actuated key for subsequently completing said partially established circuit and for interrupting said signal circuit.

'7. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of punches, a selecting magnet for each punch, a circuit for each selecting magnet including a pair of contacts, a second pair of contacts in series with all of said circuits, a plurality of keys corresponding to said punches, means controlled by one or said keys for closing the pair of contacts in, the circuit of the correspondmeans controlled by the successive operation 0! said key for causing s'aid relays to alternately control the operation 01' said punch.

10. In a card perforating machine, punches, a corresponding number of keys, a pair or relays for each key for controlling the operation of the related punch, said relays being arranged in groups each comprising a relay of each pair and means for rendering said groups of relays alternately responsive to the operation of said keys.

ULRICH KULM. 

